‘Absolute road’: Nasser Hussain on Rawalpindi pitch

RAWALPINDI: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has shared his thoughts on the pitch being used for the ongoing Test match in Rawalpindi.

Hussain, who played 96 Tests and 88 ODIs for England, believes that the pitch being used is extremely flat in nature.

"It looks like an absolute road," Nasser Hussain said during his commentary stint during the first session.

Hussain's fellow commentator Michael Atherton also echoed similar thoughts by calling the pitch "very flat".

Earlier, England had won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan during the first Test of the three-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

England got off to a quick start after scoring 14 runs in the very first over bowled by Naseem Shah. This was the most England have scored in the first over of a Test this century, according to David Gower.

It must be noted that the players who are making their debut for Pakistan in the match include pacers Haris Rauf and Mohammad Ali, leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood and batter Saud Shakeel.

Meanwhile, Liam Livingstone and Will Jacks are making their debut for the visitors.

"A bit of illness rocking around the camp, but the lads are dead keen. The wicket looks like it will play nicely," England captain Stokes said at the toss.

On the other hand, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is hopeful that "for one and a half hours" the pitch will "help the fast bowlers" in the morning session.

Yesterday, it was feared that the match would be delayed after several England players were affected due to a viral infection.

"The ECB has informed the PCB that they are in a position to field an XI, and, as such, the first Test will commence as per schedule today (Thursday, 1 December) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium,” the PCB said in a brief statement on Thursday morning.

England are on their first Test tour of Pakistan in 17 years, following their T20 side playing seven matches in the country two months ago, taking the series 4-3.